The Daily News THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1905

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7722, 26 January 1905, Page 2

The Daily News THURSDAY, JANUARY 26, 1905

The manifesto of the Political and Labour League founded by the trades councils of the colony is a strange example of the persistence in ill-advised courses 'which has so often rendered the efforts of the true friends of labour almost nugatory. The professional object of the league is the creation of a strong Labour party in Parliament which will yield no allegiance to any political leader other than tile one chosen from among themselves, and the securing of a wider representation on municipal bodies. Further to justify itself the league proceeds to say : "A majority in Parliament is opposed not only to Labour legislation but also to the most democratic principle—namely, the nationalisation of the land. This unsatisfactory result has been brought about not by organisation but indifference. .... The Political and Labour League is organised for reform. Conic and join us." To every wellwisher of the Labour party in this colony we would say, on the contrary : "Do nothing of the sort, or, at all events, before you do, think whether the league's programme will really make for the success of the I party in the House." Some months ago we pointed out that any split in the Liberal party of this colony [ which tends to produce a triangular condition of parties in the House must make for loss of power and influence, and produces a reactionary rather than a forward tendency. What has tile Liberal party of this colony to gain by splitting into two sections which will be in only partial agreement with each other. ? Does John Rigg, M.L.C., and his misguided fellows of the league imagine that without the support of the wisely moderate section of the House the band of faddists which they hope to elevate into a third parity are lively to carry any weight or influence ? Why attempt to drag tile Labour section of the Liberal party into the foolishness <of identifying itself with the land nationalisers and single-taxers V If there is one issue more likely than another to break down tho present solid majority in tile House it is the question of land tenure. By all muans let every member who holds any lad with regard to the best form of dividing and holding the land have his equal chance with every other. But when it comes to refusing the support of the Labour Councils to any good Liberal because he cannot see his way to the abolition of private ownership it looks to us another exemplification of the saying : "Whom the Gods would destroy they lirst make mad." The references made by the manifesto to the successes of Labour candidates at Home and in Australia are beside the mark. The labour party in this colony has nothing to learn from Britain or Australia. On the other hand, it may gain much by studying the example set in Australia of "how not to do it." In every one of the Slates today, as well as in the Federal Par-

liument, Labour is largely represented, and in not one instance has it attained to any lasting or substantial power. The reason is plain, Working very much on the lines which the manifesto advises for New Zealand, the Labour sections of the States and the Commonwealth have refused to ajly themselves with the more moderate sections of the Liberal Party, and have thus created a third division in the House, All such a party can hope for is to obstruct legislation and retard the progress of business. In New Zealand there has never been a recognised third party, and mo pledge has been systematically exacted by any outside body which would exclude good jiw-mbcrs who could not accept the whole Lai), our programme. There is no need to recapitulate here what Labour has gained in New Zealand during the last decade, It has progressed faster without "th|t uijichine" than in any other country where thp members have ceased to be representatives and lapsed into the delegates of an outside body. Let us be content when we are doing well, and continue to garner our harvests in the maturity of time and refrain from tryijig f. O ''rush things." Above all let every good Liberal Labourite doubt very deeply the wisdom of the man who would create a third party or attempt to drag in prematurely the question of land nationalisation. Let him think of the forces that fi'ill be arrayed against such a party, and thit diserpdji which will rightly or wrongly ,-jt(a£h j;> else that emanates from the s/ime source. The Labour piiriy is far from being all in New Zealand, and ii it is wisely guided it will recognise that the huge majority of the present Liberal Government call be easily frittered away without n Labour' administration necessarily taking its (iJace.